NH workers share savings in tentative agreement

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire's state workers would share health plan savings with the state under a tentative contract agreement being mailed for a ratification vote perhaps as early as Friday.

State Employees' Association President Diana Lacey said Wednesday workers could get up to $300 in 2014 and in 2015 for participating in a wellness program. She said the payments are incentives to promote good health and share in some of the savings from a healthier workforce.

The payments would be in addition to $200 workers have gotten annually if they fill out a health assessment form to use toward copayments. Lacey said workers could combine the two payments to use toward a new deductible.

Gov. Maggie Hassan's office said unions that settled contracts earlier will also get the new wellness benefit.